The above table is taken from The Times report on the latest rankings. Click on the image for a larger view.Good news for both Kian Ming's and my alma mater in the United Kingdom (UK), Cambridge and Oxford University moved up a notch to 2nd and 3rd in the world respectively. Imperial College makes up 3 entries from UK in the Top 10 at 9th, up from 13th last year. The remainder of the Top 10 universities however, are populated by universities from the United States, with Harvard firmly rooted at the top of the list.
From the 2005 Top 10 list, Ecole Polytechnique dropped from 10th to 37. While the data breakdown has yet to be released, I can assume that this was largely due to statistical errors a-la-University Malaya (UM) in the points calculation, as pointed out by Richard Holmes on his blog RankingWatch here.
Our neighbours down south has a mixed year, whereby National University of Singapore (NUS) broke into the Top 20 at 19th from 22nd, while Nanyang Technological University (NTU) dropped out of the Top 50 from 48th to 61st, sharing the position with Dartmouth College.
As for the Australian Universities down south which I've blogged about here based on last year's data, there appears to be a marked deterioration, as 6 universities dropped out of the Top 100 list, leaving a remainder of 6. Of the remaining 6, only MacQuarie University dropped significantly from 67th to 82nd, while the rest had marginal changes to their position. Could this be due to major fine-tuning of some of the dubious international faculty and students data in the previous year's table?
Asia is represented by 13 universities, with 3 from Hong Kong and Japan, 2 from China, Singapore, India and 1 from Korea. Topping this list remains Beijing University at 14th. The university which showed the greatest improvement from this list would be TsingHua University of Beijing, up from 62nd to 28th. Seoul National University has also shown remarkable progress over the past 2 years to improve from 118 (2004) to 93 (2005) to 63rd (2006). The only new entrants to the Top 100 club would include Osaka University, from 105th to 70th. Four Asian universities however, dropped out of the Top 100 list - Tokyo Institute of Technology (99th), China University of Science & Technology (93rd), Hebrew University of Jerusalem (77th) and
Fudan University (72nd).
UK universities are some of the biggest gainers, with 29 universities in the Top 200, up from 23 in 2005. Based on The Times report, new entrants include Cardiff and Southampton both at 141, Reading at 190 and Aberdeen at 195. Of the 29, 15 are ranked in the Top 100 this year, compared to 10 in 2005.
US universities made some of the biggest improvements in rankings into the top 100 list - Vanderbilt from 114th to 53rd, Case Western Reserve (109th to 60th), Dartmouth (117th to 61st) and University of Pittsburgh (193rd to 88th). Other notable new entries into the Top 100 include University of Otago, New Zealand from 186th to 79th and University of Birmingham, UK from 143rd to 90th.
Overall, the US universities increased their dominance in the Top 100 rankings table from 23 universities in 2005 to 33 in 2006. Interestingly, Kian Ming's current place of study, Duke University had only a marginal drop in ranking from 11th to 13th. This is despite another gross statistical input error in the previous year's ranking as pointed out by Richard Holmes here. The faculty-student ratio which was impressively low as due to the fact that the undergraduate population figure was treated as the faculty population instead. It appears likely that this error has not been rectified.
Without looking at the complete data which has yet to be released, it appears that the initial "euphoria" in the inaugural 2004 and 2005 rankings table on the significant presence of "world-class" institutions outside of US and UK, particularly in the Asia Pacific, is slowing eroding. The researchers and statisticians appear to have in one way or another "corrected" the inherent bias of the earlier methodologies towards "international universities" in the earlier surveys. As a result, this years table appears to see a significantly increasing dominance of US and UK based universities. This appears to be more in line with the other rankings table of note compiled by Shanghai Jiaotung University. Interestingly, there was also no mention of QS Quacquarelli Symonds, which carried out the error ridden and controversial rankings survey in the first 2 years.
Anyone want to wager on the fact that Universiti Malaya may find itself a casualty of rhe refined methodology and be left out of the Top 200 list? We'll see :).
Well, that's enough inane and mundane statistical analysis for now (a subject I'm proud to say that I aced in Maths and Economics :p). More detailed analysis later once the full tables are released.
Hi Tony, thanks for the rigorous analysis. statistics rock! (so said the geeky statistician)
ReplyDeleteEagerly (or not) awaiting the top 200 list.
What is with this amazing competitiveness and need of rankings. We've been through this over and over again, rankings are biased and serve to enhance universities reputations by sometimes inaccurate means. I personally would go for a good old university with tradition and good graduates and a holistic teaching approach rather than a high ranking international university in a survey. I think these surveys further propagate the lure of the west to affluent asian people who think that they are getting the best out of education by sending they're children to these institutions. After all, who are conducting these survey?
ReplyDelete[Off topic]
ReplyDeleteJust something fun i found on the net.
http://www.business-opportunities.biz/projects/how-much-is-your-blog-worth/
And guess what, this blog worth $64,357.56.
Great job Tony and Kian Ming. Can sell it next time :P
Well, i partially agreed with the comments above. This kind of ranking only take into account the faculty members and etc.
ReplyDeleteSo what if they have very good faculty members that are highly reputable for journals and researches? Does that mean that they are good in teaching and transfering their knowledge to younger generations? Does that mean that all the students graduates there are good as well?
These are questions that we need to assess before jumping right into conclusions. It may not be fair to other top students say, gradutes from lower ranking universities.
aiyah, why ppl still think the function of a uni is to teach? even the best coach in the world can't help the malaysian football team.
ReplyDeletejust like you get the government you deserve, you get the education you deserve, especially at primary and secondary level. by the time you enter uni it's already too late.
Statistics is just about sampling on population, meaning it may not necessarily reflects the actual situation.
ReplyDeleteAlso, we need to know that there are great and lousy faculties in a university. A ranking according to university (instead of faculty-based) is doing a great disservice to the quality faculties.
For example University of Texas Health Science Center (Houston) may boast the largest cluster of medical centres in US and fabulous biomedical sciences school...but are they in the Top 100 list?
U get my point?
A bit off topic but based on my observation, potential undergrad students use rankings table as a basis for choosing a school. However I noted one area particularly in the US that is missing which is the Liberal Arts Colleges. These colleges eventually produce many of the faculty members that make up the faculties in the top schools at least in the US and it would be very interesting to find out about their teaching quality as well..
ReplyDelete192... hahahahahaa
ReplyDeleteUM is in 192 based on sin chiew report.
ReplyDeleteUKM is higher than UM! High five! Next UiTM will higher than UM. Perfect.
ReplyDeleteFrom the Star pg.6 .."But former UKM vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Mohd Salleh Mohd Yasin, credited the university's improved placing to the concise information provided on its website...We knew they (THES) were looking at our website.."
ReplyDeleteWhat utter nonsense!
From the Star pg.6 .."But former UKM vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Mohd Salleh Mohd Yasin, credited the university's improved placing to the concise information provided on its website...We knew they (THES) were looking at our website.."
ReplyDeleteWhat utter nonsense!
Wah website can influence the ranking. Might as well throw ranking out the door!
FYI:
ReplyDelete"Interestingly, there was also no mention of QS Quacquarelli Symonds, which carried out the error ridden and controversial rankings survey in the first 2 years."
Actually, the table of the top 200 has a note at the end saying: 'Compiled from data by QS and Evidence Ltd.'
Firstly I cannot deny that I am pleased with the ranking, of course because the university I am currently studying in is listed there. But I also wonder how did they assess those universities, what criterias did they look for to put those universities in their rankings. Yes, I am very much agreeable with the anon comment saying that 'even the best coach in the world can't help the malaysian football team'. There isn't any better way to say it.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteis it true private uni in the states are better than that of the state universities due to the limited funds from the government?
ReplyDeleteGo Otago!!!
ReplyDeleteHere's the latest news:
ReplyDeleteTHES-QS World Top University Ranking: http://www.topmba.com/fileadmin/pdfs/2007_Top_200_Compact.pdf
:)
well wel..where is your latest post?
ReplyDeletevisit http://worldbest-universities.blogspot.com for latest ranking information
UM and UKM in the top 200 universities in the world!
ReplyDeleteStudents of history will now that in post colonial Asia and Africa there were a few outstanding universities.
Madras University (India)
Makerere University (Uganda)
University Malaya (Singapore)
Of the three UM still rates in the top 200 globally so I guess there is some continuity there!
Sorry that should be UM Malaysia and NUS Singapore in the top 200.
ReplyDeletePrior to 1959 there was of course only UM Singapore campus and Raffles College. The home of the current campus of UM in Petaling Jaya (KL) used to be a rubber plantation in 1959.
hi..
ReplyDeleteBar Vocational Course
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bar Vocational Course (usually termed the BVC) is a graduate course that is completed by those wishing to be called to the Bar, i.e. to practise as a barrister in England and Wales. The ten institutes that run the BVC along with the four Inns of Court are often collectively referred to as ‘Bar School’.
This vocational stage is the second of the three stages of legal education, the first being the academic stage and the third being the practical stage, i.e. pupillage. No person can practise as a barrister unless he has successfully completed this course.
Entry requirements
Although the minimum entry requirements for the BVC is a qualifying law degree with no less than lower second class (2:2) honours, or a degree in another subject with no less than 2:2 honours in addition to a pass in the in the Common Professional Examination (CPE), applicants for the BVC should demonstrate a strong academic profile (preferably pper Second Class Honours degree and above from a leading university and excellent extra-curricular activities). Additionally, a suitable candidate should provide strong evidence of a commitment to the English Bar.
In 2006:
3,227 students applied for the BVC,
1,932 got a place,
1,425 passed the BVC,
598 got pupillage,
544 got tenancy.
As a result of the apparent over-supply of barristers, the Bar Standards Board recently considered four controversial proposals:
Capping the number of BVC places
Deferring call till the completion of pupillage
Raising the minimum entry standards to a 2:1 degree (implemented into some BVC offering institutions)
Mandating a minimum IELTS score of 7.5/9 for foreign students (implemented into some BVC offering institutions)
As of 2008, only two of these proposals have been able to find enough support to be implemented.
Course options
The course bridges the gap between academic study and the practical work of a barrister by teaching subjects with which a practising barrister will need to be familiar with. Core modules include:
Criminal Advocacy
Civil Advocacy
Drafting
Opinion Writing
Client Conferencing
Negotiation
Criminal Litigation and Sentencing
Civil Litigation and Evidence
Legal Research
Case Preparation and Analysis
Professional Conduct and Ethics
Two optional modules (these vary from institute to institute)
Grading
Students successfully completing the course may be awarded the overall grade of “Outstanding”, “Very Competent” or “Competent”.
To gain the award of “Outstanding” a candidate must have passed all assessments at the first attempt and must achieve either an overall mark of 85% or above, or six or more grades in the outstanding category.
To gain the award of “Very Competent” a candidate must have failed no more than one assessment at the first attempt and must achieve either an overall mark 70% or eight or more grades in the very competent or outstanding categories.
To gain the award of “Competent” a candidate must pass each assessment subject to the rules governing the opportunity to re-sit.
BVC Providers
Institution Location Circuit Approx. course fees
BPP Professional Education London South Eastern £13,495
BPP Professional Education Leeds North Eastern £10,250
University of the West of England Bristol Western £9,775
Cardiff University Cardiff Wales and Chester £8,500
Nottingham Trent University Nottingham Midland Circuit £9,675
College of Law London South Eastern £12,375
College of Law Birmingham Midland Circuit £9,900
City University London South Eastern £12,770
Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester Northern £8,705
Northumbria University Newcastle upon Tyne North Eastern £9,155
BPP Law School, London
Number of places: 264 full-time, 96 part-time
BPP is not just a professional education provider, it’s a public company with a website providing as much information about corporate governance and share performance as careers guidance. If the school ’s motto – Serving the Client – isn’t enough of a giveaway, its swanky glass and steel building should leave you in no doubt that this school “takes itself very seriously.” With state-of-the-art facilities, including a series of mock courtrooms, nothing is spared to make the experience as realistic as possible. Students are even required to wear suits on certain days. Competition for places is intensified by the minimum requirement of a 2:1 which, except in “exceptional circumstances,” forms the school’s admissions policy. Once there, students describe the BPP experience as “a very time-intensive course… they keep you busy with exercises and a structured schedule.” Tuition is arguably geared towards those who may have difficulty passing the course – “they are very professional about getting you to pass if you’re struggling” – and, on the downside, this can leave brighter sparks feeling uncatered for. Advocacy, negotiation and conference skills are the mostly highly praised parts of the course and these are taught by practising barristers in court dress. A total of nine electives are offered including Judicial Review, Company Law, Property and Chancery. Each student is required to complete five hours of pro bono activities over the year and there are also plenty of mooting competitions to get involved in.
BPP Law School, Leeds
Number of places: 48 full-time, 48 part-time
BPP jumped at the chance to exploit the northern market by opening a brand-new BVC programme in Leeds in September 2006. With the inaugural year nearing completion, we spoke to course director Nicki McLaren to find out if it had been a success. Following the London model, there is an almost identical course structure and equally modern facilities in Leeds, but the fact that the course is so much smaller means that “each student knows everyone on the course” and at meet-and-greet sessions with the local Bar “the chances of being able to network and make those connections is much better.” A BPP London advocacy tutor spent time in Leeds in the first year to ensure continuity with the quality of teaching in the capital, while two practising barristers and a series of professional actors helped students perfect their skills in time for their final assessments. To assist with dining requirements and save the trip to London, a black-tie dinner organised in Leeds was a storming success. For mooting, while Leeds has its own competition, a team also entered the London-wide mooting competition, going up against BPP ’s London team. Pro bono opportunities are available. Heavy involvement from members of the Northern Circuit and fees significantly lower than in London have ensured high application numbers. Experience already shows that successful candidates invariably put BPP as their first choice.
Nottingham Law School
Number of places: 120 full-time
Nottingham Law School offers arguably the best BVC; one which competes very well against its London rivals. Indeed, twice as many first-round first-choice applications are made to NLS as there are places available and this allows the school to only take on those applicants with a fighting chance of pupillage. On average 50% of enrolling students will have secured one by the March following the end of the course. NLS claims to have the highest pupillage rate for its BVC students. To stand a chance of getting onto this BVC, you will need a 2:1, good A-levels or a good post-grad degree (usually an LLM), evidence of interaction with the legal profession (usually a minimum of three weeks’ pupillages or vacation schemes), evidence of public speaking and initiative (eg through positions of responsibility). NLS has a relatively low intake of international students – usually less than 10%. By keeping student numbers down and having a dedicated BVC building, staff and students can get to know each other well. The school’s director James Wakefield reveals: “Staff meet every month to decide which students need pressure put on them or taken off them … this is not a place to come to be anonymous.” The BVC year at NLS is judged by students to be a demanding one and they know they are expected to spend five full days a week on their studies. Skills and knowledge learning focus on the seven briefs that are followed throughout the year. Criminal advocacy sessions are held in courtrooms at Nottingham’s old Guildhall in formal dress. The appointment of a full-time pro bono co-ordinator and a public-access advice clinic at NLS have enhanced the range of real-life experiences open to students, and there is no shortage of links with professionals in London and the Midlands. Barristers and judges present guest lectures on a regular basis, and there are sponsored plea-in-mitigation and mooting competitions plus a marshalling scheme. A pupillage-interview training day assists those who have not yet secured training and, to help students keep contact with their Inns in London, there are coaches to the capital for qualifying sessions. NLS can also dangle the carrot of an LLB for all those who successfully complete the GDL and BVC, and students can also tap into the social, sporting and other facilities offered by Nottingham Trent University. By 2010, NLS intends to offer the BVC at its award winning London operation with Kaplan.
Bristol Institute of Legal Practice
Number of places: 120 full-time, 48 part-time
If you’re drawn to the South West, competitive prices and strong connections with the Western Circuit make this course well worth considering. Although stats show fewer high-calibre students are attracted to Bristol than some of its rivals, the institute responds by pointing out that a “less traditional intake” does not prevent the course from scoring highly in terms of added value. Course director Stephen Migdal believes “passing the BVC at UWE is something that has to be earned, but thereby provides a real sense of achievement. ” Entrance requirement for students with ESL is a minimum band score of 7.5 on the IELTS. Students work in groups of 12 or fewer for 90% of the time and are given a base room, complete with their own set of keys, to which they have access seven days a week. These rooms are equipped with books and IT facilities and become like “a second home” to many students. The commitment and dedication of staff is “constantly remarked upon by students,” leaving us in no doubt that Bristol is working hard to achieve its goals. Students also commented on the “strong sense of community.” Involving BVC students in the local community is one of the institute’s core values, for example through mock trials in schools. Students can use pro bono work for FRU, alongside two weeks of compulsory work experience, to fulfil both of their optional modules. A new initiative also enables students to attend inquests, represent juveniles at police stations and carry out prison visits: vital preparation if you ’re thinking of going into criminal practice. Members of the local Bar assist in advocacy teaching, something students practise during three full trials, while the provision of digital cameras facilitates sometimes-excruciating self-scrutiny. The location of the university off the M4 is a downer. Said one: “I didn’t realise how far away from the city centre it was.” However, ample campus facilities mean students have full access to a range of sporting and social activities.
Cardiff Law School
Number of places: 72 full-time
Course leader Jetsun Lebasci sums up the BVC at Cardiff as “an intense year where high standards are expected, but that is ultimately vastly rewarding. ” If you’re looking for a well-established, university-based law school you’d do well to give Cardiff some thought. But make sure you put it as your first choice – “95% of our offers are taken up by candidates who have put us in first place.” Located on a campus that is “green, pleasant and seconds away from the city centre,” the law school is small enough for staff and students to know each other by name, which “gives us a chance to change, adapt and be flexible in a way that other providers can ’t.” While a number of students are from Wales, many come from other parts of the UK and around 25% are international students who benefit from compulsory two-hour TEFL sessions on a weekly basis if the school judges that it would be in their interest. The school prides itself on the “quantity and quality” of its skills teaching (advocacy, negotiation and conferencing) and goes beyond the mandatory syllabus, with tuition for these modules delivered to groups of four or six students. Coming in both written and oral form, feedback on students ’ complete performance over the two hours is extremely thorough. In turn, students are encouraged to complete anonymous online questionnaires to ensure any problems are quickly addressed. Jetsun explained that there is still a strong emphasis on the knowledge-based subjects during the first two terms as “we feel that they need this to underpin the other skills.” Having said that, the course is now “less front-loaded than in the past” and a regular dialogue between the school and local practitioners ensures that the materials used are of an appropriate nature. Mini-pupillages and court marshalling are organised for students during two placement weeks. Other extra curricular activities include the recently launched Innocence Project, in which students investigate alleged wrongful convictions. This programme has received a lot of press attention over the last year.
College of Law, London
Number of places: 240 full-time, 48 part-time
Its London branch situated just off Tottenham Court Road, the College of Law is a thoroughly well-established supplier of legal education in the capital. It has recently gained new degree-awarding powers, meaning students who complete the GDL and BVC at the College will automatically gain an LLB. An LLM is also available if you ’re willing to put in extra time at the end of the year. The teaching on the course follows the litigation process, meaning the timetable “is never the same from week to week” and everything is done through classes (as opposed to lectures). These are based on groups of 12 students (or fewer for certain oral skills sessions) who work together until their optional subjects start in the final term. Judges and practitioners visit the college to give students feedback on advocacy and preside over mock trials. There are also after-hours speaker programmes on subjects such as commercial awareness and law and justice, which “draw in high-profile lawyers and professionals from the business world, and provide plenty of opportunity for mingling afterwards. ” Many students become involved in the Tribunal Representation Service, which provides opportunities to appear at the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal around the corner from the College. Students have also been able to handle small claims, social security and employment cases. Two teams enter the National Negotiation Competition each year; mooting is encouraged at all levels of proficiency, and for the last two years the College has organised prison visits. In short, “our extensive extra curricular activities are one aspect of the course that we’re immensely proud of,” said course director Jacqueline Cheltenham.
College of Law, Birmingham
Number of places: 96 full-time plus part-time places
Starting in September 2007, the College of Law’s Birmingham course will be identical in content and structure to that offered in the capital. A weekend part-time course will also be offered. Expect the college to capitalise on its strong links with local set St Philip ’s Chambers, one of the largest barristers chambers in the country, and to encourage plenty of networking with the local Bar. On both the London and Birmingham courses, a 2:2 is the minimum required degree grade, but don ’t let this mislead you as the grading system used by the college still gives more marks to a 2:1 applicant. The GDL and LPC have long been available in this city; now that the BVC has arrived too, this course will no doubt be inundated with applications.
Inns of Court School of Law, City University, London
Number of places: 575 full-time, 75 part-time
Once upon a time ICSL was the only BVC provider. The school developed the course and is still author of a series of manuals that are used by many students elsewhere and even those starting out in practice. Sited at the edge of Gray ’s Inn, the school has occupied a position in the heart of legal London for a very long time and, despite the undermining of its hegemony, ICSL still makes much of its longevity and traditional appeal. It educates more full-time BVC students than the other two London providers combined. Some question the school ’s ability to deliver the best course because of the sheer size of the student body, but City/ICSL points out that the majority of classes take place in groups of 12 (six for advocacy) and that students are split into four manageable cohorts, each with a deputy course director. The course does include some larger group sessions, albeit that these make full use of some pretty smart facilities in the interactive lecture theatre. Pro bono opportunities are plentiful as the school enjoys links with numerous organisations across the capital, including FRU (with which students can complete one of their two option subjects). Relationships with practising barristers and judges are strong, and practitioners visit regularly for a variety of evening events. Keen students can choose to tack an LLM in Professional Legal Practice onto their BVC.
Manchester Metropolitan University
Number of places: 108 full-time, 48 part-time
Renowned for its close involvement with members of the Northern Circuit, MMU is a cracking choice for anyone wanting to break into the Bar in this part of the country. The strength of its professional links are impressive: at least seven two-hour advocacy master classes per year see local barristers coming in to give students feedback, and professionals also get involved in MMU ’s practitioner-mentor scheme, offering useful careers and study advice. Another way to rub shoulders with potential recruiters is attendance on the Additional Professional Programme. The BVC is taught at the university ’s five-year-old law faculty building and MMU adopts a ‘syndicate group’ approach, organising its students into groups of 12 with their own rooms with IT facilities and core texts. When they arrived, the 2007 students found brand new computers and audio-visual equipment in their rooms. MMU is massively oversubscribed: course director Alan Gibb informed us that for the 108 full-time places on the 2007/08 course there were 220 applicants who put MMU as their first choice. It allows the university to be picky, usually taking only those with a 2:1, sometimes offering places to candidates with a 2:2 but otherwise remarkable CVs. Those who pass muster on grades still have to produce an impressive application detailing “clear, articulate reasons” for wanting a career at the Bar. Alan advises that students “approach the application form as if it were an application for pupillage, making sure it is word-perfect. ” What will not count against you is a lack of northern credentials: “We are happy to take people from anywhere as we know that students put us first because they want to practise on the Northern Circuit. ” Around 15% of students intend to return to practise overseas, and typically around 30% of domestic students will have gained pupillage by the time they finish the course. Recognising a lack of organised pro bono activities, the university appointed a pro bono director in 2007 and he hopes to put in place some programmes for BVC students during 2008. All in all, competitive fees, good facilities, and those all-important links to professionals make this provider stand out up north.
University of Northumbria, Newcastle
Number of places: 80 full-time, 48 part-time + 40 on exempting LLB
In addition to its conventional BVC, Northumbria offers an integrated LLB and BVC programme carried out over four years. Students apply for a place on this ‘exempting degree’ during the second year of their undergraduate LLB and, if successful, spend the following two years combining undergraduate options with components of the BVC. A parallel LLB/LPC course is also run. There are some very practical benefits to combining the two courses, not least a saving in cost, and students are generally able to extend their student loan to cover all four years. For those who are too late to take advantage of this programme, there are still benefits in taking the conventional BVC at Northumbria, which as of September 2007 will also offer 48 part-time places. The well-respected course has just gained a new lease of life by moving into swish purpose-built premises complete with mock courtrooms and live video-link equipment. The nationally recognised Student Law Office has also benefited from the extra space, which allows even more students and members of the public to benefit from the free advice clinics on offer. Take a few extra months to complete a research project and you could bag yourself an LLM in Advanced Legal Practice or an MA in Legal Practice & Policy. Having five practising barristers teaching on the course is an undoubted asset, yet with only a handful of sets based in Newcastle, staff encourage students to be realistic about their prospects of gaining pupillage in the city. “We never mislead people at law fairs… they need to look beyond Newcastle.” Networking opportunities arise at guest lectures, moots, mock trials and Wednesday evening ‘practitioner sessions’. In terms of structure, the course is described as “short and fat,” with all the teaching squeezed into the first two terms. This allows the whole of the summer term to be spent on revision. The university provides a series of revision lectures and seminars and is relaxed about giving students free time to organise their own revision schedules, something which “helps prepare them for their own practice.” There is an IELTS requirement for students whose country’s first official language is not English. The requirement for 2008/2009 appears to be the highest among all providers for the speaking category with at least an 8.0 for the speaking category with an overall of 7.5.
The above info might be helpful to you in one day.
Thank You
Hi…
ReplyDeletei copied this msg from another blogger......:-
Please be informed here that i have something to share with you and this is not a defamation email or sedition letter.
These was what i heard from a friend of mine…..He said that if you want to obtain a Law Degree ( External Programme ) in one of Local University and pass CLP exam, it is so easy like “makan kacang putih”.
The question papers can be obtained via a “channel”. You only required to do is purchase the exam paper, memorised the answers and you will pass it at least a “B”.
Is that true ??? A friend of mine added : ” I heard it from a friend…friend of mine. Nobody is going to bother the crime act cause nobody will able to trace the “channel”. If you have a few hundred ringgit , you can be a lawyer in the period of 4 years from now. Furthermore, these activities has been happened since the year of 2001. I commented : ” Gosh!…..It is cheap in cost. But where can i find this “channel” ??? “. A friend of mine added :” Once you have registered the law course, someone will approach you somewhere ….somehow. Just save some money now…..who knows they are charging each paper or subject RM200 each. With this RM200, you will get the exam paper in one whole set one month before the exam. You will have enough time to prepare the answer and memorised. You “tidak perlu baca” the whole book lah……
I said : ” Now, everybody can be a legal adviser”. mmmmmm……..My friend quiestioned : ” Shall we report it to respective party like the university or the CLP board ??? But we don’t have any proof. ” I immediately replied : ” You better don’t talk so loud. Later , both of us kena warn by somebody because being acting as a busybody. ”
God Bless All of Us…….with no more under table money incident.
I wonder : ” Where can i get to know this “channel” ? ” Could it be the printer ? or the officer ?
*******************************
My Personal view here :-
Although this is not a big issue comparing with other problem like China Disaster , JPA Scholarship Heartbreaks, PMR or SPM too easy, UTAR: Qualitative Insights ...etc however, i strongly believe that " The bamboo tree need to be strengthen straight standing before it will bend aside forever."
If all of us want our UM rank back to TOP 100 in next few year, we all should look deep into our exam system and the candidates.
" Work hard to achieve good result and not work hard to "pay" for the result ! ". Shame on them who purchase for the paper to complete their law degree.
I was very upset with the reports of " Malaysian Lawyers under fire " posted at the New Straits Times dated 26 May 2008 at page 6 & page 7. The Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Gopal Sri Ram said the Professional standard of lawyers has declined in the last 10 years.
Who should we complaint to ? To the University ? or to those evil people who sell the paper ? or to those students who purchase the paper?
Upset parents here.